Brady Tanner, 29, puts more weight on the bar during his workout last week at Haskell University. Tanner has been active in sports of all kinds for most of his life. He is also a member of the Douglas County Special Olympics basketball team. Tanner has been chosen to compete in weightlifting events at the Special Olympics World Games in Greece.

Brady Tanner is strong. Like, bench 415 pounds strong.

And the Lawrence Special Olympian athlete will see how he measures up with the world’s best, as he’s one of three Kansans selected to compete in the Special Olympics World Games.

“It’s unbelievable. It’s awesome,” said Janie Tanner, his mother. “I’m still trying to soak it in.”

Tim Rehder, vice president of the Kansas Special Olympics, made the announcement Wednesday at Haskell Indian Nations University.

Tanner will travel to Greece for the games, held June 25 through July 4.

He’ll compete in powerlifting, which includes the bench press, the squat and the deadlift. The 250-pound athlete has been competing for years in Special Olympic events, as well as open powerlifting events across the country.

Rehder said Tanner has a chance — if he competes up to his ability — to win several gold medals at the event.

Tanner’s prediction?

“Four gold medals,” he said.

It’s been a strong month for the local and state Special Olympics organization. On Tuesday, the agency presented a proposal to the Lawrence City Commission to make a bid to host the 2014 U.S.A National Special Olympic Games in Lawrence.

In July, two Douglas County Special Olympians, Jordan Mitchell and Kathleen Cosgrove, competed in the 2010 U.S.A. National Games in Lincoln, Neb.